Tuesday, August 27, 2024 Alaska Airlines experienced a mid-flight incident on Sunday when one of its Boeing 737-700 aircraft, operating as flight AS1240, returned to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) following an engine failure shortly after takeoff. The flight was initially headed to Oakland International Airport (OAK), but the engine issue forced the plane to turn back to the departure airport just minutes into the journey. The aircraft, identified by its registration number N613AS and aged approximately 24 years, departed from gate N10 at Seattle-Tacoma International at 12:24, behind its scheduled departure time of 11:46.
The plane took off from runway 16L at 13:04, aiming to head south towards the San Francisco Bay Area. However, just a minute into the flight, as it was climbing through 2,500 feet at a speed of 243 knots, the engine malfunctioned. Passengers reported hearing loud noises, indicating trouble with the engine.
Flight data indicates that the aircraft, instead of following its usual straight-out departure path, turned westward within two minutes of takeoff, flying north of Commencement Bay. Upon reaching Gig Harbor, it leveled off at 7,000 feet and then turned north, deviating from its intended route due to the engine issue. The 737 began a controlled descent over the southern tip of Bainbridge Island and Elliot Bay, maintaining an altitude of 2,600 feet.
Initially appearing to line up for a final approach, the aircraft continued north towards Squamish and Edmonds before eventually turning back south to approach SEA. The aircraft landed safely on runway 16R at 13:30, just 26 minutes after it had taken off. The flight crew’s prompt and efficient response ensured the safety of all passengers and crew members on board.
Following the incident, Alaska Airlines removed the aircraft from service to conduct a thorough inspection to determine the cause of the engine failure. Passengers were rebooked on alternative flights to reach their final destinations. This event underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols and the skill of flight crews in managing in-flight emergencies effectively.
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